Magnetic encoder

ABSTRACT

A high-precision magnet encoder in which high-order harmonic components can be suppressed without increasing the number of lead wires connecting magnetic field detecting elements to a signal processing circuit. Hall sensors of phase A 1 , phase B 1 , phase A 2  and phase B 2  are arranged sequentially around a permanent magnet  2  at intervals of 90 degrees via an air gap. Hall sensors of phase C 1 , phase D 1 , phase C 2 , phase D 2  are arranged at positions 60 degrees away from the Hall sensors of phase A 1 , phase B 1 , phase A 2  and phase B 2 , respectively. Connection is made between the positive output terminals of a set of Hall sensors located at positions 60 degrees away from each other and between their negative output terminals.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a magnetic encoder for detecting a rotational position of a servomotor for use in, e.g., a robot or a working machine.

BACKGROUND TECHNIQUE

Conventionally, there is known a position detector in which an outer periphery of a round magnet is magnetized and Hall elements are arranged so as to face the magnet via a gap at positions 90 degrees away from each other (see, e.g., Patent Document 1).

FIG. 10 is a structural view of a magnetic encoder as a first prior art.

As shown in this figure, a cylindrical magnetic body 3 is coaxially disposed around an outer periphery of a disc-shaped permanent magnet 2 attached to a shaft 11. In other words, the magnet 2 and the magnetic body 3 face each other via a gap. In this gap, Hall sensors 47 and 48 are provided at positions 90 degrees away from each other so that the Hall sensors detect the magnetic flux density changes in the gap in accordance with the rotation of the permanent magnet 2 to thereby detect the rotational position thereof.

Furthermore, conventionally, there is also known a magnetic encoder for eliminating even-order and third-order harmonic components in which a total of 6 (six) magnetic field detecting elements are arranged circumferentially at positions 60 degrees in mechanical angle away from each other around a disc-shaped permanent magnet magnetized in one direction perpendicular to the rotation axis via a gap (see, e.g., Patent Document 2).

FIG. 11 is a structural view of a magnetic encoder as a second prior art.

In this figure, “41” to “46” denote 6 (six) magnetic field detecting elements arranged at positions 60 degrees in mechanical angle away from each other at the inside of the stator 30.

The magnetic field detecting elements 41 to 46 include a total of three pairs of magnetic field detecting elements, i.e., a pair of magnetic field detecting elements 41 and 42, a pair of magnetic field detecting elements 43 and 44, and a pair of magnetic field detecting elements 45 and 46, each pair being constituted by two magnetic field detecting elements arranged at positions 180 degrees in mechanical angle away from each other.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a signal processing circuit of this prior art.

In this figure, “51” to “53” respectively denote a first differential amplifier. The first differential amplifier 51 calculates the differential signal of the output signal V41 of the magnetic field detecting element 41 and the output signal V42 of the magnetic field detecting element 42. The first differential amplifier 52 calculates the differential signal of the output signal V43 of the magnetic field detecting element 43 and the output signal V44 of the magnetic field detecting element 44. The first differential amplifier 53 calculates the differential signal of the output signal V45 of the magnetic field detecting element 45 and the output signal V46 of the magnetic field detecting element 46. The first differential amplifiers 51 to 53 are configured to eliminate even-order harmonic components by differentiating the output signals of the pair of magnetic field detecting elements arranged at positions 180 degrees away from each other.

“54” and “55” respectively denote a second differential amplifier which calculates the differential signal of the first differential amplifiers 51 and 52 and that of the first differential amplifiers 52 and 53. Two differential output signals from which even-order harmonic components have been eliminated are added to thereby eliminate the remaining three-order harmonic components contained in the differential output signals. The output signals Va and Vb of the second differential amplifiers 54 and 55 have a relation of a sine wave vs. a cosine wave. The angle calculation circuit 56 performs the tan⁻¹ (Va/Vb) calculation of both signals to calculate the rotation angle θ.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Laid-open Patent Publication No. S58-162813

Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-33277 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In the magnetic encoder disclosed in the first prior art, the outer periphery of the round magnet is magnetized, and Hall elements are arranged around the magnet via a gap. In cases where the magnetic field density distribution has distortion, however, there is a problem in that the angle detection accuracy deteriorates due to the harmonic components contained in the detected signals from the Hall elements.

On the other hand, in the magnetic encoder disclosed in the second prior art, a total of six magnetic field detecting elements are arranged circumferentially at positions 60 degrees in mechanical angle away from each other so that the even-order harmonic components are cancelled by detecting the differential signals of the magnetic field detecting elements arranged at positions 180 degrees away from each other and that the third-order harmonic components are eliminated by combining the differential output signals.

However, there are the following drawbacks. The number of magnetic field detecting elements increases from four (4) to six (6), which increases the number of lead wires for connecting the magnetic field detecting elements to the signal processing circuits. This, in turn, results in deteriorated reliability and workability. Furthermore, odd-order harmonic components exceeding third-order harmonic components cannot be eliminated, and therefore there is an accuracy limit.

The present invention was made in view of the aforementioned problems, and aims to provide a high-precision magnetic encoder capable of suppressing higher-order harmonic components without increasing the number of lead wires connecting magnetic field detecting elements to a signal processing circuit.

Means to Solve the Problems

In order to solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention is constituted as follows.

In the invention, as recited in claim 1, a magnetic encoder equipped with a disc-shaped or ring-shaped permanent magnet attached to a rotor and magnetized in one direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotor, a magnetic field detecting element attached to a stator so as to face the permanent magnet via a gap, and a signal processing circuit for processing a signal from the magnetic field detecting element, characterized in that

the magnetic field detecting element comprises Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂ sequentially arranged at intervals of 90 degrees and Hall sensors of phase C₁, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ arranged at positions α=360/N or α=180/N (N is an odd number of 3 or above) away from the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂, and

output terminals of the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂ and output terminals of Hall sensors of phase C₁, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ are connected in parallel, respectively.

In the invention as recited in claim 2, a magnetic encoder equipped with a disc-shaped or ring-shaped permanent magnet attached to a rotor and magnetized in one direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotor, a magnetic field detecting element attached to a stator so as to face the permanent magnet via a gap, and a signal processing circuit for processing a signal from the magnetic field detecting element, characterized in that

the magnetic field detecting element comprises Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂ sequentially arranged at intervals of 90 degrees and Hall sensors of phase Ct, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ arranged at positions α=360/N or α=180/N (N is an odd number of 3 or above) away from the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂, and

output terminals of the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂ and output terminals of Hall sensors of phase C₁, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ are connected in series, respectively.

The invention as recited in claim 3 is characterized in that the N is 3.

The invention as recited in claim 4 is characterized in that the N is 5.

In the invention as recited in claim 5, a magnetic encoder equipped with a disc-shaped or ring-shaped permanent magnet attached to a rotor and magnetized in one direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotor, a magnetic field detecting element attached to a stator so as to face the permanent magnet via a gap, and a signal processing circuit for processing a signal from the magnetic field detecting element, characterized in that

the magnetic field detecting element comprises Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂ sequentially arranged at intervals of 90 degrees and Hall sensors of phase C₁, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ arranged at positions α₁=360/N₁ or α₁=180/N₁ (N₁ is an odd number of 3 or above) away from the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂, and Hall sensors of phase E₁, phase F₁, phase E₂ and phase F₂ arranged at positions α₂=360/N₂ or α₂=180/N₂ (N₂ is an odd number of 3 or above and different from the N₁) away from the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂, and

output terminals of the Hall sensors of A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂, output terminals of Hall sensors of phase C₁, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ and output terminals of Hall sensors of phase E₁, phase F₁, phase E₂ and phase F₂ are connected in parallel, respectively.

In the invention as recited in claim 6, a magnetic encoder equipped with a disc-shaped or ring-shaped permanent magnet attached to a rotor and magnetized in one direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotor, a magnetic field detecting element attached to a stator so as to face the permanent magnet via a gap, and a signal processing circuit for processing a signal from the magnetic field detecting element, characterized in that

the magnetic field detecting element comprises Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂ sequentially arranged at intervals of 90 degrees and Hall sensors of phase C₁, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ arranged at positions α₁=360/N₁ or α₁=180/N₁ (N₁ is an odd number of 3 or above) away from the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂, and Hall sensors of phase E₁, phase F₁, phase E₂ and phase F₂ arranged at positions α₂=360/N₂ or α₂=180/N₂ (N₂ is an odd number of 3 or above and different from the N₁) away from the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂, and output terminals of the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂, output terminals of Hall sensors of phase C₁, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ and output terminals of Hall sensors of phase E₁, phase F₁, phase E₂ and phase F₂ are connected in series, respectively.

The invention as recited in claim 7 is characterized in that N₁ is 3 and N₂ is 5.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

In the invention as recited in claim 1, since the Hall elements are arranged at positions 360/N or 180/N away from the four Hall elements arranged sequentially at intervals of 90 degrees and the Hall elements are connected in parallel, the N-order harmonic components can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the output terminals of the Hall elements are connected in parallel, the number of lead wires for output signals is not increased. Accordingly, without increasing the number of lead wires to a signal processing circuit, a high-precision magnetic encoder can be provided.

In the invention as recited in claim 2, since the Hall elements are arranged at positions 360/N or 180/N away from the four Hall elements arranged sequentially at intervals of 90 degrees and the Hall elements are connected in series, the N-order harmonic components can be suppressed and the fundamental wave component signal is amplified, and therefore the S/N ratio of the output signal can be improved. Furthermore, since the output terminals of the Hall elements are connected in series, the number of lead wires for output signals is not increased. Accordingly, without increasing the number of lead wires to a signal processing circuit, a high-precision magnetic encoder can be provided.

In the invention as recited in claim 5, since the Hall elements are arranged at positions 360/N₁ or 180/N₁ away from the four Hall elements arranged sequentially at intervals of 90 degrees and the Hall elements are connected in parallel, the N₁-order and N₂-order harmonic components can be eliminated, and the fundamental wave component signal is amplified, and therefore the S/N ratio of the output signal can be improved. Furthermore, since the output terminals of the Hall elements are connected in parallel, the number of lead wires for output signals is not increased. Accordingly, without increasing the number of lead wires to a signal processing circuit, a high-precision magnetic encoder can be provided.

In the invention as recited in claim 6, since the Hall elements are arranged at positions 360/N₁ or 180/N₁ away from the four Hall elements arranged sequentially at intervals of 90 degrees and the Hall elements are connected in series, the N₁-order or N₂-order harmonic components can be eliminated and the fundamental wave component signal is amplified, and therefore the S/N ratio of the output signal can be improved. Furthermore, since the output terminals of the Hall elements are connected in series, the number of lead wires for output signals is not increased. Accordingly, without increasing the number of lead wires to a signal processing circuit, a high-precision magnetic encoder can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a structural view of a position signal detecting portion of a magnetic encoder according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a connection diagram of Hall sensors of the magnetic encoder according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing a detection principle of the magnetic encoder according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a connection diagram of Hall sensors of a magnetic encoder according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a detection principle of the magnetic encoder according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a structural view of a position signal detecting portion of a magnetic encoder according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a structural view of a position signal detecting portion of a magnetic encoder according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a connection diagram of Hall sensors of a magnetic encoder according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a structural view of a position signal detecting portion of a magnetic encoder according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a structural view of a magnetic encoder according to a first prior art.

FIG. 11 is a structural view of a magnetic encoder according to a second prior art.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a signal processing circuit of the magnetic encoder according to the second prior art

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 rotor -   11 shaft (rotary shaft) -   2 permanent magnet -   21 ring-shaped permanent magnet -   3 magnetic material -   30 stator -   4, 47, 48 Hall sensor -   40 position signal detecting portion -   41-46 magnetic field detecting element -   50, 80 signal processing circuit -   51-53 first differential amplifier -   54, 55 second differential amplifier -   56, 87 angle calculation circuit -   70 position signal detecting portion -   81-86 differential amplifier -   9 power source

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a structural view of a position signal detecting portion of a magnetic encoder of a first embodiment of the present invention.

In this figure, “2” denotes a permanent magnet attached to a rotor (not illustrated). This permanent magnet is magnetized in one direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotor as shown in the arrow M in this figure. The arrow R shows a rotation direction. “4” denotes a Hall sensor for detecting the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 2 and converting it into a voltage.

The Hall sensor 4 consists of a total of eight (8) Hall sensors, i.e., Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂ arranged sequentially around the permanent magnet 2 at intervals of 90 degrees via a gap, and Hall sensors of phase C₁, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ arranged at positions respectively 60 degrees (corresponding to the case in which α=180/N, N=3) away from the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂.

FIG. 2 is a connection diagram of the Hall sensors of the magnetic encoder of this embodiment. In this figure, “70” denotes a position signal detecting portion including eight Hall sensors. “a” denotes a positive input terminal of the Hall sensor 4, “b” denotes a negative input terminal thereof, “c” denotes a positive output terminal, and “d” denotes a negative output terminal. The eight Hall sensors are connected in series at the input side and powered by the power source 9 disposed in the signal processing circuit 80.

As to the output side, a pair of Hall sensors arranged at positions 60 degrees away from each other are connected in parallel so that the positive output terminals are connected with each other and the negative output terminals are connected with each other. In detail, as to the Hall sensor of phase A₁ and the Hall sensor of C₁, the positive output terminal c of the Hall sensor of phase A₁ and the positive output terminal c of the Hall sensor of phase C₁ are connected, and the negative output terminal d of the Hall sensor of phase A₁ and the negative output terminal d of the Hall sensor of phase C₁ are connected. As to the pair of the Hall sensor of phase B₁ and the Hall sensor of phase D₁, the pair of the Hall sensor of phase A₂ and the Hall sensor of phase C₂, and the pair of the Hall sensor of phase B₂ and the Hall sensor of phase D₂, they are connected in the same manner as mentioned above.

The present invention is different from the prior art in that the Hall sensor of phase C₁, the Hall sensor of phase D₁, the Hall sensor of phase C₂ and the Hall sensor of phase D₂ are arranged at positions respectively 60 degrees away from the Hall sensor of phase A₁, the Hall sensor of phase B₁, the Hall sensor of phase A₂ and the Hall sensor of B₂ arranged sequentially at intervals of 90 degrees and that the output terminals of the Hall sensor of phase A₁, the output terminals of the Hall sensor of phase B₁, the output terminals of the Hall sensor of phase A₂ and the output terminals of the Hall sensor of phase B₂ are connected to the output terminals of the Hall sensor of phase C₁, the output terminals of the Hall sensor of phase D₁, the output terminals of the Hall sensor of phase C₂, and the output terminals of the Hall sensor of phase D₂, in parallel, respectively.

The connections are made at the position signal detecting portion 70 shown in FIG. 2. The required number of lead wires from the position signal detecting portion 70 to the signal processing circuit 80 is normally the number of sensors×2 for the signal lines plus two for the power lines. In the case of using six Hall sensors as in the second prior art, a total of 14 lines (6×2+2=14) is required. In this embodiment, however, the number can be reduced to 10.

Next, the operation will be explained.

When the permanent magnet 2 rotates, each Hall sensor 4 detects the magnetic field changes and outputs a sine wave signal of one cycle per rotation. In practice, the output signal from each Hall sensor includes even-order and odd-order harmonic components in addition to a fundamental wave signal of one cycle per one rotation. In this embodiment, it will be explained that third-order and even-order harmonic components can be suppressed.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing a detection principle in this embodiment.

In this figure, “Va1” denotes a fundamental wave output signal from the Hall sensor of phase A₁, “Vc1” denotes a fundamental wave output signal from the Hall sensor of phase C₁, “Va3” denotes a third-order harmonic signal included in the output signal from the Hall sensor of phase A₁, “Vc3” denotes a third-order harmonic signal included in the output signal from the Hall sensor of phase C₁, and “Vac1” denotes an output signal obtained when the output terminals of the Hall sensors of phase A₁ and phase C₁ are connected in parallel.

In this embodiment, in the position signal detecting portion 70, the Hall sensors of phase A₁ and phase C₁ are disposed at positions 60 degrees in mechanical angle away from each other and connected in parallel. Therefore, the third-order harmonic components contained in the output signals of the Hall sensors of phase A₁ and phase C₁ have a phase difference of 180 degrees in electric angle, and thus the third-order harmonic components are cancelled. That is, a signal small in third-order harmonic components can be obtained from between the output terminals (output terminals c and d) connected in parallel.

In the same manner, in the Hall sensors of phase B₁ and phase D₁, the Hall sensors of phase A₂ and phase C₂, and the Hall sensors of phase B₂ and D₂, a signal small in third-order harmonic components can be obtained from between the respective output terminals connected in parallel.

The output signals from four pairs of Hall sensors connected in parallel are amplified respectively by the differential amplifiers 81 to 84. Thereafter, the output signals from the differential amplifiers 81 and 83 are amplified differentially by the differential amplifier 85, and the output signals from the differential amplifiers 82 and 84 are amplified differentially by the differential amplifier 86. The output signals from the differential amplifiers 81 and 83 and the output signals from the differential amplifiers 82 and 84 are output signals from the pair of Hall sensors positioned 180 degrees away from each other, respectively. Therefore, the differential amplification thereof eliminates the even-order harmonic compositions.

The output signal Va from the differential amplifier 85 and the output signal Vb from the differential amplifier 86 are inputted into the angle conversion circuit 87. The output signals Va and Vb are sine-wave signals different in phase by 90 degrees, and converted into an angle signal θ by the tan⁻¹ (Va/Vb) calculation.

As explained above, in this embodiment, the output terminals of the Hall sensors arranged at positions 60 degrees away from each other are connected in parallel in the position signal detecting portion, and the output signals from the pair of the Hall sensors arranged at positions 180 degrees away from each other are differentially amplified in the signal processing circuit, and therefore the third-order and even-order harmonic components will be suppressed. Accordingly, a high-precision angle signal can be obtained with a smaller number of lead wires.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 4 is a connection diagram of Hall sensors of a magnetic encoder according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The arrangement of the Hall sensors is the same as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the output terminals of a pair of Hall sensors arranged at positions 60 degrees away from each other are connected in series.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a detection principle in this embodiment.

In this figure, “Va1” denotes a fundamental wave output signal from the Hall sensor of phase A₁, “Vc1” denotes a fundamental wave output signal from the Hall sensor of phase C₁, “Vac1” denotes an output signal obtained when the output terminals of the Hall sensors of phase A₁ and phase C₁ are connected in series. The output signal Vac1 will be a signal in which the signal Va1 and the signal Vc1 are vectorially synthesized, and is about 1.7 times larger than the signals Va1 and Vc1.

It is apparent that the third-order harmonic components will be cancelled and a signal small in third-order harmonic components can be obtained in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Although not illustrated, also in the Hall sensors of phase B₁ and D₁, the Hall sensors of phase A₂ and C₂, and the Hall sensors of phase B₂ and D₂, a fundamental wave output signal about 1.7 times in amplitude with less third-order harmonic components can be obtained from between respective output terminals connected in series.

As will be apparent from the above, in this embodiment, the third-order harmonic components will be cancelled and a signal about 1.7 times larger than the differential signal of a single Hall sensor can be obtained. Therefore, a signal excellent in S/N ratio can be obtained.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 6 is a structural view of a position signal detecting portion of a magnetic encoder according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In this figure, “2” denotes a permanent magnet attached to a rotor (not illustrated). The permanent magnet is magnetized in one direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotor as shown in the arrow M in this figure. “4” denotes a Hall sensor for detecting the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 2 and converting it into a voltage.

The Hall sensor 4 includes a total of eight Hall sensors, i.e., Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂ arranged sequentially 2 around the permanent magnet 2 via a gap at intervals of 90 degrees, Hall sensors of phase C₁, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ arranged at positions respectively 36 degrees (corresponding to the case in which α=180/N, N=5) away from the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂.

This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the Hall sensors of phase C₁, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ are arranged at positions respectively 36 degrees away from the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂.

The connection of the Hall sensors in the position signal detecting portion and the connection to the signal processing circuit are the same as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

In this embodiment, the Hall sensors forming a group are arranged at positions 36 degrees in mechanical angle away from the Hall sensors forming another group, and the output terminals of both groups are connected in parallel. Therefore, the fifth-order harmonic components contained in the output signal from one of the groups and those contained in the output signal from the other group have a phase difference of 180 degrees in electric angle, and therefore the fifth-order harmonic components will be cancelled. In other words, a signal small in fifth-order harmonic components can be obtained from between the output terminals (between the terminals c and d) connected in parallel.

In this embodiment, the output terminals of Hall sensors forming each group are connected in parallel. However, by connecting them in series, the output signals from the Hall sensors forming each group will be vectrorially synthesized. The result is a signal having a fundamental wave about 1.9 times larger than that of a signal from a single Hall sensor.

If it is a requirement to eliminate the seventh-order or above harmonic components, such elimination can be performed by: arranging four Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂; arranging Hall sensors of phase C₁, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ at positions respectively α₁ degree or α₂ degree away from the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂, where α₁=360/N or α₂=180/N, N is an integer of 7 or above; and connecting the output terminals of the Hall sensors consisting each group so that the harmonic components of the signal from one group and those of the signal from the other group have a phase difference of 180 degrees in electric angle.

Embodiment 4

FIG. 7 is a structural view of a position signal detecting portion of a magnetic encoder according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In this figure, four Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂ arranged sequentially 2 at intervals of 90 degrees, Hall sensors of phase C₁, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ are arranged at positions respectively 60 degrees (corresponding to the case in which α=180/N, N=3) away from the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂, and Hall sensors of phase E₁, phase F₁, phase E₂ and phase F₂ are arranged at positions respectively 36 degrees (corresponding to the case in which α=180/N, N=5) away from the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂.

FIG. 8 is a connection diagram of Hall sensors of a magnetic encoder according to this embodiment of the present invention.

In this figure, three Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase C₁ and phase E₁ form one group, and the output terminals of these three Hall sensors are connected in parallel such that the positive output terminals thereof are connected with each other and the negative output terminals thereof are connected with each other. As to the group consisting of the Hall sensors of phase B₁, phase D₁ and phase F₁, the group consisting of the Hall sensors of phase A₂, phase C₂ and phase E₂, and the group consisting of the Hall sensors of phase B₂, phase D₂ and phase F₂, they are connected in the same manner.

As explained above, in this embodiment, Hall sensors are arranged at positions 60 degrees away from the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂ where the third-order harmonic components are cancelled and also at positions 36 degrees away from the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂ where the fifth-order harmonic components are cancelled, so that the signals from the output terminals connected in parallel as mentioned above are taken out. Therefore, the third-order harmonic components and the fifth-order harmonic components can be eliminated.

The number of lead wires from the position signal detecting portion to the signal processing circuit can be reduced to ten in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the second embodiment and the third embodiment, which prevents deterioration of reliability and workability due to the increased number of Hall sensors.

In this embodiment, the output terminals of the three Hall sensors are connected in parallel. However, by connecting them in series, the outputs from the three Hall sensors will be vectorially synthesized, and therefore an output signal having a fundamental wave about 2.7 times larger than an output signal from a single Hall sensor can be obtained.

Accordingly, the S/N ratio can be improved, and a highly-reliable and high-precision magnetic encoder can be provided.

Embodiment 5

FIG. 9 is a structural view of a position signal detecting portion of a magnetic encoder according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In this figure, “21” denotes a ring-shaped permanent magnet attached to a rotor (not illustrated). The permanent magnet is magnetized in one direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotor as shown in the arrow M in this figure. “4” denotes a Hall sensor arranged on the inside of the ring-shaped permanent magnet 21 via a gap.

This embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that the permanent magnet 2 is a ring-shaped permanent magnet 21. With this structure, this encoder can be applied to an outer rotor type motor having a non-rotating hollow shaft.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be applied to a magnetic encoder for detecting a rotational position of a servomotor for use in, e.g., a robot or a working machine. 

1. A magnetic encoder equipped with a disc-shaped or ring-shaped permanent magnet attached to a rotor and magnetized in one direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotor, a magnetic field detecting element attached to a stator so as to face the permanent magnet via a gap, and a signal processing circuit for processing a signal from the magnetic field detecting element, characterized in that the magnetic field detecting element comprises Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂ sequentially arranged at intervals of 90 degrees and Hall sensors of phase C₁, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ arranged at positions α=360/N or α=180/N (N is an odd number of 3 or above) away from the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂, and output terminals of the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂ and output terminals of Hall sensors of phase C₁, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ are connected in parallel, respectively.
 2. A magnetic encoder equipped with a disc-shaped or ring-shaped permanent magnet attached to a rotor and magnetized in one direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotor, a magnetic field detecting element attached to a stator so as to face the permanent magnet via a gap, and a signal processing circuit for processing a signal from the magnetic field detecting element, characterized in that the magnetic field detecting element comprises Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂ sequentially arranged at intervals of 90 degrees and Hall sensors of phase C₁, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ arranged at positions α=360/N or α=180/N (N is an odd number of 3 or above) away from the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂, and output terminals of the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂ and output terminals of Hall sensors of phase C₁, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ are connected in series, respectively.
 3. The magnetic encoder as recited in claim 1 or 2, wherein the N is
 3. 4. The magnetic encoder as recited in claim 1 or 2, wherein the N is
 5. 5. A magnetic encoder equipped with a disc-shaped or ring-shaped permanent magnet attached to a rotor and magnetized in one direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotor, a magnetic field detecting element attached to a stator so as to face the permanent magnet via a gap, and a signal processing circuit for processing a signal from the magnetic field detecting element, characterized in that the magnetic field detecting element comprises Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂ sequentially arranged at intervals of 90 degrees and Hall sensors of phase C₁, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ arranged at positions α₁=360/N₁ or α₁=180/N₁ (N₁ is an odd number of 3 or above) away from the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂, and Hall sensors of phase E₁, phase F₁, phase E₂ and phase F₂ arranged at positions α₂=360/N₂ or α₂=180/N₂ (N₂ is an odd number of 3 or above and different from the N₁) away from the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂, and output terminals of the Hall sensors of A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂, output terminals of Hall sensors of phase C₁, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ and output terminals of Hall sensors of phase E₁, phase F₁, phase E₂ and phase F₂ are connected in parallel, respectively.
 6. A magnetic encoder equipped with a disc-shaped or ring-shaped permanent magnet attached to a rotor and magnetized in one direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotor, a magnetic field detecting element attached to a stator so as to face the permanent magnet via a gap, and a signal processing circuit for processing a signal from the magnetic field detecting element, characterized in that the magnetic field detecting element comprises Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂ sequentially arranged at intervals of 90 degrees and Hall sensors of phase C₁, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ arranged at positions α₁=360/N₁ or α₁=180/N₁ (N₁ is an odd number of 3 or above) away from the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂, and Hall sensors of phase E₁, phase F₁, phase E₂ and phase F₂ arranged at positions α₂=360/N₂ or α₂=180/N₂ (N₂ is an odd number of 3 or above and different from the N₁) away from the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂, and output terminals of the Hall sensors of phase A₁, phase B₁, phase A₂ and phase B₂, output terminals of Hall sensors of phase C₁, phase D₁, phase C₂ and phase D₂ and output terminals of Hall sensors of phase E₁, phase F₁, phase E₂ and phase F₂ are connected in series, respectively.
 7. The magnetic encoder as recited in claim 5 or 6, wherein the N₁ is 3 and N₂ is
 5. 